D-MANNOSE

For the treatment of cystitis, in addition to normal antibiotics, D-Mannose is increasingly used, a sugar-based food supplement very effective in combating urinary tract infections. Let's see in detail what D-Mannose is, what are its benefits, how it works and any contraindications.    

WHAT IS D-MANNOSE?

D-Mannose (or right mannose) is a simple sugar extracted from birch and larch wood. Specifically, it is a monosaccharide, dextrorotatory isomer, also present in our body and in many types of fruit such as apples, pears and oranges. Compared to other common sugars such as sucrose and fructose, it is an element that is not absorbed by our body but is excreted with urine.  

THE BENEFITS OF D-MANNOSE

The beneficial activity of D-Mannose concerns its effectiveness in fighting cystitis and inflammation of the urinary tract. It is a natural remedy particularly recommended both as a supplement to antibiotic therapies and as a prevention of recurrent cystitis. It is also recommended for men suffering from prostatitis, where D-Mannose, taken together with bearberry, has positive effects for slight states of inflammation of the prostate.

HOW DOES THAT WORK?

D-Mannose is a simple sugar, a monosaccharide extracted from larch or birch wood with a high safety profile of use. It is rapidly absorbed from the intestine and within a short time (30 minutes) distributed in the blood and all organs.It cannot be transformed into glycogen and therefore is not stored in the liver or other organs, nor is it used by the body. Excess mannose reaches the kidney and bladder and is eliminated in the urine. Long-term administration of mannose in concentrations up to 20% produced no effects on metabolism or signs of toxicity, which supports the overall good toxicological profile. The adhesion of bacteria to the surface of animal cells is a crucial factor for virulence and infection. Often this recognition-adhesion is mediated by residues of sugars such as D-Mannose and L-fucose that bind to the specific lectins of the bacterial surface. Virulence factors are known and described that are most and abundantly represented on pathogenic serotypes for example of E.coli (known as UPEC Uropathogenic Escherichia coli), Salmonella and other bacteria involved in urinary tract infections such as Proteus mirabilis. The bladder wall is lined with various mannosylate proteins, including Tamm-Horsfall proteins (THP), which interfere with the adhesion of bacteria to the epithelium.THP binds to the bacterium Escherichia Coli with a highly specific and saturable bond, which is inhibited by D-Mannose suggesting an important role of THP mannose groups in specific binding, in particular with pathogenic coli endowed with the virulence factor of FimH, which are more abundant in patients with urinary tract infections than in the healthy population. D-Mannose mimics the functionality of the urothelial barrier, inhibiting the adhesion of bacteria to the urethral and bladder epithelium. The bacteria, binding with the free D-Mannose molecules in the urine, instead of nesting in the walls of the mucosa, remain trapped in the urine stream and eliminated with them.In vitro and live studies have shown the ability of mannosides to reduce the bacterial load by 2 orders of magnitude in the urine and 4 in the bladder. The nature of the monosaccharide and long-term studies support the fact that it is free of toxicity even when ingested at doses much higher than ordinary ones in the diet.  

D-MANNOSE AND ANTIBIOTIC: A QUICK COMPARISON

When a case of cystitis occurs with inflammation of the urinary tract caused by a strong bacterial infection, the only way forward is antibiotic therapy. D-Mannose can be taken as a natural supplement to pharmacological treatment to decrease healing times and eliminate the risk of recurring. Moreover, being a completely natural active ingredient, it has significant benefits:

• does not alter the bacterial flora
• operates only in the bladder, avoiding acting in other parts of the body
• is not a bactericide
• can be taken by diabetics and celiacs under medical supervision

D-Mannose can be recommended as a treatment for cases of mild cystitis and as a form of prevention, but in severe cases the use of antibiotics is indispensable.  

D-MANNOSE: CONTRAINDICATIONS AND SIDE EFFECTS

The main advantage of D-Mannose lies in its being a natural sugar, therefore without obvious contraindications. The only side effects in mild and transient form that can occur at the gastrointestinal level are dysentery and meteorism. This is because not everyone has the enzymes to digest this substance, which could then ferment in the intestine. These phenomena last a few days, since the regular intake of D-Mannose leads to the production of enzymes necessary for its digestion. In general, however, it should be considered that it is a healthy and natural element suitable for everyone. The dosages of mannose normally suggested in the treatment of cystitis vary from one to 2.5 g / day (from one to two teaspoons), to be taken possibly together with generous amounts of water to take advantage of the washing effect of the same. In any case, before using mannose to combat cystitis, it is advisable to obtain clearance from your doctor.